Goodbye

Summary:
Alternate ending to New Moon. As the months continue Bella continues to slowly heal. But tragedy strikes again, creating a domino affect with everything in her life. With Edward gone, who will save her? New chapters finally added!

21. Chapter 21: Perfection

Waiting for the rest of the family to get here seemed to drag on and on. We kept busy with playing games, talking, watching TV, but soon we were all just silent.

Finally I picked up their scent, then I could see headlights from the windows and the broken door - which I had forgotten was no longer there.

I gave Edward a teasing look, Esme wasn’t going to be happy about that. He just smiled.

I could hear they’re rushed footsteps nearing the door. We stood from the couch and waited with anticipation.

Jasper came through first, and went straight to Alice’s arms before even looking any where else. Then Esme and Carlisle came in, followed by Emmett and Rosalie.

Esme stopped in front of Edward and I, and just stared at me. She was smiling, but her eyes looked sad, I knew that if she could there would be tears trailing down her cheeks.

“Bella.” she finally exhaled.

“Hi Esme.”

She took a deep breathe then hugged me tightly. As soon as her arms wrapped around my body it erased all anxiety and I knew I was home. Not only had I longed for Edwards embrace, but the embrace of my family and now they were here.

“You’re so very beautiful.” she whispered into my ear. “I’ve missed you dear.”

“Me too.” I was slightly overwhelmed, and couldn’t find my words.

Esme let go and cupped my cheek for a short moment then backed away and hugged Edward. She whispered something that I didn’t catch.

Carlisle walked up to me and smiled.

“Hi Carlisle.”

He didn’t say anything, just hugged me tightly.

Emmett was next. I braced myself for the huge bear-like hug he was going to give me.

“Bella.” he said excitedly.

“Hi Emmett.” I couldn’t help but smile immensely at the big bear of a brother I had lost and missed.

Of course he picked me up and squeezed me tightly. His hug was a little more forceful than what he would have given human Bella. I decided that it was a good time to test out my strength on him. He was about to put me down, when I squeezed him tighter, I felt his muscles go tense and he stopped breathing. I let go and hopped onto the ground.

“Bella?” he said incredulously.

I laughed and smiled at the dumbfounded look on his face.

“What was that?” he asked.

“Just my super strength.” I teased.

“That was incredible. I bet your stronger than Edward and Jasper.”

“And you.” I gave him a playful smile, that slightly challenged him.

“No way, there’s no way you could be stronger than me.” he arrogantly flexed his huge arms, and lifted one eyebrow.

“Please.” I said jokingly.

“Is that a challenge?”

“Maybe.”

He stepped closer, but Carlisle put himself between us. We both stopped and our shoulders fell in disappointment.

“Now children,” Carlisle mocked. “Not now.”

“Fine.” we both said in unison.

“Bella that really was incredible, how?” Carlisle asked.

“I don’t know, I’m just really strong.”

“Is that your gift?”

“Well…no.” I admitted with my head down. I wasn’t sure how to tell them or if I was ready to tell them anything.

“Bella and I were actually just going to go for a run.” Edward interrupted there scrutinizing eyes that were waiting with questions I just didn’t have the strength to answer yet. “We can all ask her your millions of questions when we get back.”

I looked up at Edward and gave him a thankful smile.

“But we just got here.” Emmett complained.

“I know, but Bella and I need some time alone.” Edward grabbed my hand and we started for the door.

“Fine. But Edward, when you get back you better explain the door…and then fix it.” Esme said without a trace of joking in her voice.

We stopped, then Edward turned to face her.

“Of course.” he smiled, then we quickly dashed out of the house and into his car.

“Thank you.” I told him once we were alone in the quiet confines of his familiar Volvo.

He simply smiled, then kissed my lips softly.

We pulled away from the house, and then soon we were on the main road.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

I didn’t press for more, it really didn’t matter where we were going, as long as it was with him.

We finally stopped and Edward was at my door, holding it open for me. I got out and took his hand.

“If you would?” he said politely gesturing to his back.

“I can run on my own now.” I reminded him.

He didn’t say anything, he just waited for me to comply. Which I did after a few seconds of stubbornness.

I climbed onto his back and wrapped my arms around his neck. He took off running. I cradled my head into the back of his neck, it reminded me of when I was human and he ran. Now I had it all back.

I watched the wind whip past his face, the way each gust of wind made his expression change. I closed my eyes and listened to his steady breathes as he flew across the earth.

I didn’t even know that we had stopped until I felt his arms pull me over and place me on the ground.

I looked around and noticed his meadow. It was beautiful. The sky was almost completely clear, only scattered soft white clouds moved across the black background. The stars shown brightly, each one winking at us.

Edward kissed my cheek, then left my side to lay in the middle of the meadow. The grass swayed in the light breezed. It was so quiet that each sound seemed amplified. The rustle of the leaves in the wind, the crickets in the grass, and then there was the beautiful sound of Edward’s breathing.

I slowly walked to where he was laying. His eyes were closed, his arms beneath his head, one leg crossed over the other. I smiled at the simplicity of the way he looked, so peaceful beneath the night sky.

I sat beside him and took his arm from under his head and put it under mine, then I snuggled into his chest. I wrapped my arm lazily around his stomach, my leg around his. And we laid there like statues, unmoving, quiet. We watched the stars and the clouds moving across the dark. It was perfection.

Finally Edward moved his head down and kissed my hair. I looked up at him and reached for his lips. I pressed firmly into his soft skin. Our lips parted and for the first time our tongues met. This was the farthest we had ever gone, and neither of us made any motion towards stopping.

Edward finally pulled away and smiled at me. I didn’t say anything and neither did he. The silence was welcomed as long as he stayed, no words were needed.

I cuddled back into his arm and we lay still, the only movements came from Edward’s fingers brushing along my arm.

Edward started humming lightly, I didn’t recognize the tune. Then he started singing.

“It's true

"I've really found

“Someone like you…”

I could hear his voice vibrating against his chest, making each sound echo. I listened as his perfect voice continued to sing each sweet word.